Looping machine



April 1932- E. E. RANDALL 1,853,377

LOOPING MACHINE Filed April 15, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 09150 5 away/4 p2, 1932. E. E. RANDALL 1,853,377

LOOPING MACHINE Filed April 15, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gmentoa 0930 EPanda/L ww m Patented Apr. 12, 1932 warren stares rarest critics unisonn. aArrnnLL, or KANKAKEE, rnmnors, nssrenon rorannmonnr' TEXTILEmncnrnnnr 00., or onrceeo, rumors, A con-renames on rumors roornveMACHINE Application filed April 15,-

insure accurate and infallible cutting of the chain bet-ween adjacentfabrics looped on the machine.

As is well understood, machines of this character generally include acontinuously rotating dial provided with impaling pins arranged thereonupon which the fabrics, such as stockings, are impaled, the dialrotating past a stitch-forming mechanism which sews the edges of thefabric together and which produces a chain of stitches between adjacentfabrics. In my said patent, mechanism is provided which operates on thechain to cause the same to curl up so as posi-. tively to insureengagement of the chainby a chain-ii ter which, in turn, presents thethread to the severing mechanism.

The chain curling device of my said patent is not always satisfactory inoperation because it does not positively raise the chain so that it maybe engaged by the chain-lifter. Furthermore, in my prior patent thechainlifter is so mounted that it is retarded in its oscillation bycontact with the welt or looping seam and this has resulted in a markingof the fabric, especially where the fabric is of the light chiffon type.

My present invention aims primarily to provide in a looping machinehaving a chain severing attachment means for positively elevating thechain into the zone of operation of the severing mechanism.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a chain elevating,device which is maintained normally in inoperative position by thefabric on the impaling pins as that fabric passes the elevating deviceand which becomes opera-two when the chain between 1930. Serial no.444,589.

adjacent fabrics comes into, alinement with the device.-

It is still another object of provide in a machine of the character setforth a chain-lifter which normally oscillates freely above the plane ofthe impalingpins and to whichthe chain is elevated by means controlledby the fabric being united.

A further object of the invention is to pro-- vide in combination witha. chain elevating device a mechanism which operates in opposition tothe elevating device whereby to insure that the fabric is maintainedproperly on the impaling pins.

Other objects of my invention, and the many advantages thereof will inpart be obvious and in part more fully brought out as the descriptionproceeds.

" In the" accompanying drawings, I have illustrated a practicalembodiment of my invention; but it is to be understood that the drawingsare illustrative, merely, and that the invention is not limited to thedetails of construction therein disclosed. It will. be

readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may beembodied in a wide variety of forms without departing from its salientfeatures or sacrificing any of its advantages.

In these drawings: U v a Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a loopingmachine showing the attachment of my invention mounted thereon Fig. 2 isafront elevation of the attachment illustrated in Fig.1 I

Fig. 3 is a view in horizontal section, parts being broken away for thesake of clearness;

Fig. 4- is a View, partly in elevation and partly in section, showingthe details of my invention and the several parts in operative relation;and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a chain guide forming a part of myinvention.

It is deemed unnecessary for the purposes of the present specificationto describe in detail the construction and operation of a loopingmachine, inasmuch as the machine, itself, is old and well known in theart It will suffice to state that the machine comprises a rotatable dial1 about the periphery of which the invention to is mounted a continuousseries of impaling pins 2, which pro ect radially from the dlal.

. The fabric articles, such as stockings, which anism for severing thechain of stitches between adjacent fabric articles. The severingmechanism, proper, comprises a pair of relatively 'movable'she'aringblades 3 and 4, the blade 3 being stationary and adjustably I mounted ona suitable bracket 5 which forms an extension on a bracket 6 by means ofwhich the attachment, as a unit, may be mounted on the frame of themachine;

The bracket 5 terminates in a transversely extending tubular housing 7in which is ournale'd a rock shaft 8 upon which the movable blade 4 ismounted. The movable blade 4 is provided with an extension 9 which isconnected toan adjustable link 10 which, in turn, is connected to aneccentric'll operated by a worm- 12. The worm 12 receives its motionfrom the looping machine. By this arrange ment the movable blade 4 isconstantly oscillated and periodically brought into proper relation withthe stationary blade 3 to cut the chain.

Gperatively connected to the movable blade 4 is a chain-lifter14 whichis maintained in "assembled relation with the movable blade by asuitable adjusting nut 15. a a

As will be noted from an inspection of Figs. 2 and 4, the chain-lifter14 swings constantly in a plane above the chain of stitches on "themachine and in this respeet. it differs from the construction disclosedin my earlier patent wherein the chain-lifter'contacts with the chainand is retarded thereby. I

A suitable coil spring 16 is securedto the 'brackete and thechain-lifter 14', this spring assisting the movement of the chain-lifterand the movable blade 4' on the return stroke towa'rdthje stationaryblade 3. a b

It will be understood from .the foregoing description that the movableblade and the chain lifter are mounted together on the rock shaft 8 andare'moved in unison toward and away from the stationary blade 3. :Sincethe chain-lifter 14 oscillates freely abovethe plane of the impalingpins, the chain-{lifter would not en gage the chain unless some meanswere provided'fo'r elevating the chain above the plane of the pins. 7 a

The particular improvement of my presfcollar ent invention resides inthe provision of a chain elevating device which will positively raisethe chain so as to insure its engagement by the chain-lifter by which itis presented to the severing mechanism. This means comprises a blade 1?which is pivotally mounted on a post 18 to swing in ahorizontal planeclose to the impaling pins 2. The bearing for the blade 17 is providedwith a suitable coil spring 19 which constantly urges the blade forwardinto engagement with the chain of stitches. The blade is provided with abeveled nose 20 which bears against the chain of stitches as the fabricarticles on the impaling pins pass by the elevating device. Suitableadjusting mechanisms areprovided for accurately positioning the blade 17with respect to the work. For this purpose the blade isadjustablehorizontally by a slot and pin 'conneceon-'21 and the pivot post 18 ismaintained in proper vertical position by suitable set screws 22 and 23.

By referring particularly to Fig. 3 the operation of the blade 17 willbe quite clear; As the fabric articles rotate pastthe blade, the nose 17engages the seam portions of the chain of stitches C by which it is maintained in retracted position against-the action of the spring 19, asshown by dotted lines in Fig. 3.' lVhen the chain of stitches betweenadjacent fabrics comes into alinement with the beveled nose 20, thisnose enters under the chain, it-being no longer restrained in itsmovement by the seam in the fabricai'id consequently the spring 19 becomes effectivetc -move the blade into its forward position as shown inFig. 3. Thus, as is more clearly shown in Fig. 4, the chain 0 iselevated by the blade 17 to a position H:

wh'ere it is positively engaged by the chainlift er 14 by which in turnit is moved into the field of action of the cutting blades.

As has been above set-forth the blade 17 bears constantly against thechain of stitches on the fabric articles by reason of the force of thespring- 19. This action of the blade has a tendency to move the articlesoutwardon the impa'ling pins. To overcome this tendency or the blade Ihave provided a member 24which bears against the fabric below theimpaling pins as is clearly shown in Fig. 4. The member 24 is providedwith a collar 25 rotatably mounted on a post 26. A suitable coil,spring27 is secured to the post and'the collar and is so mounted thatit tends constantly to urge'jthe member 24 into engagement with thefabric articles. A pin 28 on the post 26 operatesv in a slot 29 in themovement of the "member 24. As in the case adjusted and is maintained inadjusted pcor the post 18, the post 26 may be accurately 'sition bysuitable set screws 30 and 31. Thus, it will be seen that the blade 1-?and for the purpose of limiting swinging the member 24 operate inopposition to each other on the fabric articles, each being urged intocontact with the articles by means of a suitable spring. By thisarrangement, it is assured that the articles remain properly positionedon the impaling pins.

I have also found that if pressure be'applied to the chain of stitchesto press the chain down upon the impaling pins, the chain will bestraightened and at the sametime will have a tendency to rise as it isrelieved from this pressure. For this purpose I have provided apresserfoot 32 secured to a post 33 which is vertically adjustable andis maintained in adjusted position by means of a suitable set screw 34.In practice the presser foot will be so'adjusted as 'tobear. down uponthe chain of stitches with a sufiicient degree of pressure to smooth thechain. As the chain leaves the presser foot, it has a tendency to riseand therefore the entry of the beveled nose under the chain ismaterially facilitated.

Sometimes operators in impaling the fabric articles on the pins spacethem so far apart that after passing through the stitch formingmechanism a relatively long chain between adjacent articles is formed,as at D,

Fig. 3. To insure-that this long chain is properly and accuratelypresented to the severing mechanism, I have provided a guide plate 35adj ustably secured to a post 36 which, in turn, is adjustable in'anextension 37 of the bracket 5. The post 36 is maintained in adjustedposition by suitable set screws 38 and 39. This guide plate presses downupon the chain and thus also performs the function of removing from itany loose threads or clippings which may have been left after thetrimming operation.

0pcmt0n.-From the foregoing description it is believed that my inventionand its mode of operation will be perfectly clear to those skilled inthe art. However, it is deemed desirable to summarize the operation,

here. It is understood, of course, that the dial of the machine rotatesclockwise and that the fabric articles impaled upon the impaling pinsfirst pass through trimming mechanism and then through stitch-formingmechanism. It is after the edges of the fabric articles have been unitedthat my invention comes into operation. The dial carrying the unitedfabrics first passes under the guide plate 35,

: .i which assures that the chain between adjacent fabrics will beproperly presented to the severing mechanism. The chain thereupon passesunder the presser foot 32 which has the effect of compressing the chainand straightening it and also causing it to rise slightly as itleavesthe presser foot. At this time the blade 17 is maintained in inoperativeposition by reason of the fact that the nose 2O bears against the chainof stitches on the fabric. articles.

As that portion of the chain which extends betweenadjacent articlescomes into alinement with the beveled nose 20, the chain'rises thereonand the nose 20' enters underfthe chain, being movedby actionof thespring 19. Thus, the chain is positively raised by the device describedand is therefore readily engaged by the chain-lifter 14 which constantlyoscillates freely above the plane of the chain. The lifter 1d carriesthe chain into the zone of operation of the cutter blades 3 and l wherethe chain is severed; A. suitable guide 40 may beinterposed between theblade 17 and the chain lifter 14 further to assist in the accuratepresentation of the chain to pins. In order to prevent lifting of theblade 17 inthe event that the chain should get under the same, asuitable stop a1 is provided which prevents vertical movement oftheblade.

' Thus, in mypresent improvement I have I .overcome certain defects inprior devices of this character and have provided an accurate, positivemeans for presenting thechain to the severing mechanism. In the presentcase the chain lifter oscillatesfreely above the plane 1 of the pins anddoes not contact with the welt as in my prior construction and,therefore,"

there. is no marking of the, fabric. Furthermore, in my presentinvention the chain is positively raised so that it is engaged by thechain lifter andthe operation does not depend solely upon any curlingaction induced in the chain. 7 V

It is believed, also, that the many advantages of my presentconstruction will be.

readilyappreciated-by those skilled in the Iclaim: 1. In a machine foruniting the edges of looped fabric articles by forming a chain ofstitches, mechanism for severing the chain between adj acent articles,and means oscillative in a non-vertical plane and controlledby thearticles for elevating said chain prior to its introduction to thesevering mechanism.

2. In a machine for uniting the edges of looped fabric articles byforming a chain of stitches, mechanism for severing the chain betweenadjacent articles, and means oscillative in a non-vertical plane andadapted to.

move under said chain to elevate the same prior to its introduction tothe severing mechanism, said means being restrained from movement by thearticles.

3. In a machine for uniting the edges of M 5 looped fabric articles byforming a chain of looped fabric articles by forming a chain ofstitches, mechanism for severing the chain between adjacent articles,and means'oscillaltive in a non-vertical plane and operative to elevatesaid chain prior to its introduction to the severing mechanism, saidmeans being maintained in inoperative position by the articles I a 5. Inamachine for uniting the edge'sof looped fabric articles by forming achain of stitches, mechanism for severingthe chain between adjacentarticles, means oscillative in a non-vertical plane and operative toelevate said chain prior to its introduction to the severing mechanism,said means being maintained in inoperative position by the articles, andmeans urging said elevating means into operative position.

6. In a machine for uniting the edges of looped fabric articles byforming a. chain of stitches, mechanism for severing the chain betweenadjacent articles, spring-actuated means oscillative in a non-verticalplane and adapted to move under said chain to elevate the same prior toits introduction to the severing mechanism, and means to restrainactuxation of said first-mentioned means.

7. In a machine for uniting the edges of looped fabric articles byforminga chain of stitches, mechanism for, severing the chain betweenadjacent articles, and spring-actuated means oscillative in anon-vertical plane and adapted to move under said chain to elevate thesame prior to its introduction to the severing mechanism, said meansbeing restrained against movement by the articles.

8. In a machine for uniting the edges oflooped fabric articles byforming a chain of stitches, mechanism for severing the chain betweenadjacent articles, a chain-lifter associated with said severingmechanism, and

means oscillative in a non-vertical plane and controlled by the articlesfor elevating said chain prior to its engagement by said chainlifter.

9. In a machine for uniting the edges of looped fabric articles byforming a chain'of stitches, mechanism for severing the chain betweenadjacent articles, a freely oscillating chain-lifter associated withsaid severing mechanism and moving in a plane above said chain, andmeans controlled by thearticles for elevating said chain into the zoneof operation of said chain-lifter. I

10. In a machine for sewing looped fabrics including a movable support,impaling pins for receiving fabric articles mountedon said support andmovable therewith, stitch forming mechanism for uniting said articles byforming achain of stitches, mechanism for severing the chain betweenadjacent articles, and means oscillative in, a non-vertical plane andcontrolled by the articles for elevating said chain prior to itsintroduction to said severing mechanism. I

11. In a machine for sewing looped fabrics including a movable support,impaling pins for receiving fabric articles mounted on said support andmovable therewith, stitch-forming mechanism for uniting said articles byforming a chain of stitches, mechanism for severing the chain betweenadjacent articles, and meansoscillative in a non-vertical plane forelevating said chain prior to its introduction to the severingmechanism, said means being restrained against movement by the articles.1

12. In a machine for sewing looped fabrics including a movable support,impalingpins for receivingfabric articles mounted on said support andmovable therewith, stitch-forming mechanism for uniting said articles byforming a chain of stitches,.mechanism for severing the chain betweenadjacent articles, means oscillative in a non-vertical plane and adaptedto moveunder said chain to elevate the same prior'to its introduction tosaid severing mechanism, and means-to restrain movement of saidfirst-mentioned means.

13. In a machine'for sewing looped fabrics including a movable supportprovided with radially projecting impaling pins adapted to receivefabric articles and stitch-forming mechanism for uniting the edges ofsaid articles by a chain of stitches, a chain elevatingdeviceoscillative in a non-vertical plane and bearing against saidchain, and means operating in opposition to said elevating device tomaintain the articles properly positioned on the impaling pins.

- 14. In amachine for sewing looped fabrics including a movable supportprovided with impaling pins for receivingfabric articlesandstitch-forming mechanism foruniting the edges of said articles by achain of stitches, a spring-actuated chain elevating device bearingagainst said chain, and spring means operating in opposition to saidelevating device to-maintain the articles properly positioned on theimpaling pins.

15. In a machine for sewing looped fabrlcs including a movable supportprovided with radially projecting impaling pins adapted to receivefabric articles and stitchformingmechanism for uniting the edges of saidarticles by a chain of'stitches, a chain elevating device oscillative ina non-vertical plane and bearing against said chain in a plane above theimpaling pins, and means operating in a plane below said impaling pinsand in opposition to said elevating device to maintain the articlesproperly positioned on the impaling pins.

16. In a machine for sewing looped fabrics including a movable supportprovided with impaling pins for receiving fabric articles andstitch-forming mechanism for uniting the, edges of said articles by achain of stitches, a chain elevating device oscillative in anon-vertical plane and bearing against said chain and adapted to moveunderthe portion of the chain which extends between adjacent articles,and means to compress the chain prior to its engagement by saidelevating device.

17. In a machine for uniting the edges of looped fabric articles byforming a chain of stitches, mechanism for severing the chain betweenadjacent articles, means coac tive with said mechanism for introducingsaid chain to said severing mechanism, said means operating continuouslyabove the looped seam, and means oscillative in a non-vertical plane andcontrolled by the articles for elevating said chain prior to itsintroduction by said first mentioned means to the severing mechanism.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

EDISON E. RANDALL.

